Playing in their fourth ever season in the National League South, Worthing may be forced to settle for a fourth straight playoff finish. After a collapse last season saw them finish fourth, they were defeated at home to Maidstone in the playoff Semi-Final. In this article, we look at Worthing’s season so far and look at whether they have enough to somehow pip Dorking to the title.
Worthing sit third, six points off leaders Dorking who have a game in hand. Despite a slow start to the season, Chris Agutter was poached by National League strugglers Sutton, allowing hometown hero Adam Hinshelwood to return to the club in October. 12 wins from his first 13 games saw The Rebels fly to the top of the table and they looked nailed on for the title.
However, a run of eight games without a win to start 2026 has seen them fall off the pace. The most disappointing aspect of the winless run was the level of opposition played, drawing at home to Chippenham and Horsham, as well as losing away to strugglers Hampton & Richmond, Bath and Salisbury. Four wins from five at home against sides such as Chelmsford, Chesham and Torquay has inspired confidence, but this has been overshadowed by three away losses in a row, meaning the Rebels haven’t won away since Boxing day.
The recent plight perhaps sums up Worthing, who boast the second most home points in the league but 13thfor away form, losing 10/18. With three away games in a row coming up against three strong home sides AFC Totton, Weston Super Mare and Enfield are cause for concern, as is the trip to a Dorking side who have dropped just nine points at Meadowbank all season.
With 78 goals scored, Worthing boast by far the best attacking record in the division, as well as conceding just 43 goals. When looking at Worthing squad, it’s easy to see why they have been so strong at times this season. However, is a strong squad enough to eradicate the playoff wobbles?
Joe Cook is playing his second as a Worthing player after stand out spells at Gateshead and Dorking. A calm and composed figure, Cook has registered six goals/assists, excelling at driving out of defence. Harry Ransom, signed in the summer, has experience in League Two with Crawley and National League experience with Sutton, forming one of the strongest centre back partnerships in the league.
At right back, Joel Colbran has been a mainstay since graduating through the youth academy in 2018, accumulating 350+ appearances since. The 26-year-old has scored eight goals this campaign and is a constant threat on the flank. Sam Beard has plenty of experience in non-League and won player of the season in his first season on the South Coast.
Worthing’s midfield is the envy of many in the league. Teddy Jenks has been a revelation since signing. The former Brighton, Aberdeen and Forest Green midfielder excels at box-crashing, scoring eight in 28 and provides physicality and energy. To the surprise of many, technical midfielder Jack Young left Dorking for Worthing mid season and has been a mainstay in the absence of Jack Spong – the crown jewel of the Rebels midfield.
The versatile Sam Packham has been a constant under Hinshelwood, while Spaniard Odei Martin is a fan favourite.
Width is provided by Remiero Moulton (19) who has impressed on loan from Watford and Razzaq Coleman De Graft. The 28-year-old has ten goals and seven assists in 38 appearances since signing in the summer. George Cox, a player with plenty of experience in the EFL and in Netherlands can play in defence or on the wing.
Callum Morton, another player with an abundance of EFL experience signed recently, providing back up for Brad Dolaghan – the league’s top scorer. The 21-year-old broke through at the end of the 2023/2024 season before being snapped up by West Ham, but returning in the summer. Poacher Ashley Nadesan scored on debut and Wiktor Makowski registered an assist on debut.
The 23-year-old demonstrated a real coup, signing after 12 goals and 12 assists in 32 games for Slough.
With so much talent in the team, the question on everybody’s lips is – can Worthing finally get promoted?
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